Chapter 120: Military-Grade Mark III Power Sword

The air was thick with the scent of blood, and a surging, malicious intent from the Warp rolled over them like a tidal wave!

Cold! Trembling! Fear!

A mix of countless emotions flooded Alvin's heart.

Countless cultists surrounded them on all sides!

He could clearly see on his biological map that the area was covered in dense red dots; without a doubt, these were the life-heat signatures of the cultists.

They were completely surrounded. If nothing unexpected happened... no one would make it out of here alive!

"Co-Commander, let's just fight them to the death!"

The remaining 47 men of the 185th Regiment, 3rd Company, gripped their weapons tightly.

Amidst their heavy, ragged breathing, they had long since prepared to sacrifice their lives for the Empire and the God-Emperor at any moment. Their eyes burned with a resolute, determined spirit; not a single one retreated or showed fear.

However, to everyone's surprise—

The mad cultists, after surrounding Alvin and his men, made no move to swarm them. They even deliberately cleared a large, empty space.

Gripping the demonic battle-axe gifted by the Blood God, the "Chosen One" stepped into that space. Its predatory, scarlet gaze burned with near-incendiary battle intent as it spoke in a harsh, sharp tone, a mix of two different voices: "Alvin... I, in the name of the 'Blood God,' challenge you to a duel!"

So that's why... they cleared a space!

Alvin's mouth twitched. It seemed Khorne truly "favored" him, going so far as to have its blessed "Chosen One" draw a circle to duel him one-on-one!

"Tsk, kid... you've been hiding quite a lot, haven't you?"

Commissar Gray glanced at him meaningfully and said slowly, "Only the most valuable enemies, those who have earned recognition, get this kind of 'equality' from Khorne. In all my time on Cadia, I haven't seen a duel witnessed by the Blood God more than a few times. What exactly did you do?"

"Slaughtered His followers, and maybe got a bit mouthy and called Him a 'coward'..."

Alvin felt a pang of agony and winced. "If I'd known He was this petty, I wouldn't have run my mouth. Damn it!"

For one of the five—no, four—Chaos Gods of the Warp, His heart was smaller than a needle's eye. Was it really necessary to hold a grudge this long and send a "Chosen One" to settle the score just because he'd been a bit foul-mouthed?

Alvin swore he would never run his mouth again!

"It looks like... there's no escaping this." Looking at the cultists roaring in the distance, their eyes glowing red, it was clear that refusing would only lead to being beaten to death by the mob!

Duel or mob—it wasn't a hard choice.

"Screw Chaos, Commander! Don't waste time with these bastards. We're going to die anyway, so let's just fight them!" Dize, the youngest and most hot-tempered of the group, was deeply loyal to his commander.

Because Alvin was the only one who had ever treated them like human beings.

As he spoke, the 47 men of the 3rd Company responded in unison.

"Yeah, Commander, why play along with a duel against Chaos scum?"

"That's right, we aren't afraid to die. We've lived long enough!"

"Exactly! If I'm going to die, I'm taking a few of these dog-eating Chaos bastards with me. To hell with the duel!"

They all knew that given the destructive power of that "monster," even if the Commander agreed to the duel, the outcome would likely be him getting cleaved into a pulp, smeared across the ground so thoroughly that no shovel could scrape him up.

Since that was the case, why bother with a duel?

Death was coming either way; they might as well take a few Chaos bastards down with them, which would at least be a final contribution to the Empire!

But... after a moment of silence, Alvin looked at the "Chosen One" waiting in the battle circle and said slowly, "If I win, will you let us leave?"

"Yes."

The Khorne Chosen One sneered, its dual-toned voice mocking his overestimation of himself.

"Fine, I..."

Alvin ignored everything else and prepared to agree.

No matter how low the odds were, if he won, there was a chance he could lead these remaining forces out of here!

The 47 men of the 3rd Company... every single one of them was his heart and soul!

However.

Just as Alvin made up his mind to fight the Khorne "Chosen One" Emerich to the death, he was stopped by Commissar Gray beside him.

"Kid... the duel isn't for you."

Gray took off his military jacket, revealing a lean, muscular frame. His body, like cast iron, was covered in a dense web of crisscrossing scars, several of which were in vital areas!

Without a doubt, this was a veteran of a hundred battles!

His fierce killing intent and firm will were in no way inferior to the "Chosen One" blessed by the "Blood God"!

Then, Gray turned and entered the military tent. When he emerged, he held an ancient-looking heavy-bladed combat knife with a guard!

The handle of the combat knife featured a special mechanical device.

The blade was straight, nearly a meter long. In terms of forging, it resembled a curved blade, but the heavy spine undoubtedly added weight and lethality to its strikes!

But what truly shocked Alvin was that the weapon Gray used was, if he wasn't mistaken... a Mark III Power Sword, specifically awarded by the Departmento Munitorum to outstanding Imperial Guard officers or Inquisitors!

A Power Sword was a symbol of status and honor!

The controller on the hilt would envelop the blade in a highly lethal disruption field, capable of easily slicing through flesh, bone, and even Astartes power armor!

Even the "Chosen One's" armor would be no exception!

Usually, only Astartes, high-ranking nobles, Inquisitors, or the Imperial Guard were permitted to carry them. However, many Imperial Guard soldiers were specially honored with a "Power Sword" for achieving feats beyond mortal limits!

Clearly, Commissar Gray was one of them!

"Before the 'main course,' how about a round with me?" Gray swung the heavy Power Sword with one hand, resting it on his shoulder as he stepped into the circle to face the terrifying "Chosen One," grinning. "I, Gault Gray, of the Cadian Shock Troops, 109th Regiment—am I qualified enough for you?!"

"I know you... Gault Gray."

The Khorne Chosen One scrutinized Gray, then actually agreed. Blood-red light flickered through the slits of its helmet as it growled excitedly, "You are qualified to fight me. The 'Blood God' hungers for your blood and skull to wash away the shame of Cadia!"

"Commissar!"

Alvin's pupils constricted. He never expected Gray to replace him and duel the Khorne Chosen One?

"Kid... if I die, remember to lead them out." Gray patted his shoulder, his voice low, a trace of sorrow surfacing in his eyes. "Ever since the day Cadia fell, I have already been dead. I have dreamed of that tragic battle countless times in the dead of night, hating why I wasn't the one who died... Now, I finally have a chance to be completely free."

"Commissar..."

Alvin was moved, his lips trembling.

"Kid, we haven't known each other long, but I like you." Gray's face beamed with a radiant smile, as if he were a warrior full of joy, stepping onto a battlefield of certain death.

"Kid, open your eyes wide and watch clearly. This is what a soldier of the God-Emperor looks like; this is what the Cadian Shock Troops are!" Gray shouldered his Power Sword and strode into the battle circle, his bold battle intent soaring to the heavens. "Let me teach you what... fighting is!"